LUR is the Basque Goddess of the earth. She is married to Ortzi, the God of the sky, and is the mother of twin girls--Eguzki, Goddess of the sun, and Ilazki, Goddess of the moon. Lur is the source of the power that flows through all living things, and she is the protector of all plants and animals. Her name, which means "earth," is also seen as AMA LUR, LURBIRA, or LURRA.

Goddess of the dark moon, brave and unwavering, Inanna ventures into the underworld. She teaches us to stand firm, eyes focuses on the end true goal, ultimately leading us to a state of wisdom.

SUGGESTED AFFIRMATIONS:

~ I am revitalized
~ I have overcome negative influences
~ My new life path reveals itself to me
~ I say goodbye to destructive influences
~ My insecurity is replaced with wisdom
~ At my center there is a incandescent fire ~ I release myself from harmful judgments

Inanna is the Sumerian goddess, honored at the dark moon, as it is she who fixes destinies at each new moon. Inanna's journey into the underworld and subsequent revitalization represents the soul's evolution through hardship into glorious renewal.

In her quest for clarity and knowledge, Inanna Queen of Heaven and Earth descended to Earth to rule her people, where (so that her people would not know hunger) she made a sacred marriage to ensure the fertility of the lands. She thirsted to understand first-hand though, the true sufferings of her followers, so she descended again, this time to the realm of the underworld, the domain of her sister Ereshkigal.

Ereshkigalonly allowed Inanna entry on the condition that she shed her earthly attachments at each of seven gates to the underworld. So, at each gate, Inanna surrendered some part of what she thought made up herself: wealth, power, tributes. By the time she relinquished her final garment, she was no longer the commanding Queen, and, exposed and vulnerable, she was ready to die.

However, it was only when she was near death and at her most vulnerable did she discover new life and increased powers. She finally learned first-hand to accept her vulnerability, as well as the understanding of the necessity of sacrifice and death for the cycles of life to continue.

These revelations increased her power, beauty and wisdom. If you are repeating old habits, ask Inanna to help you shed your layers that keep you trapped. Open yourself to a journey to the underworld where you can let go of old conditioning, release inhibitions, let alter-egos die, shed the burdens you carry... all to create anew - it is only by becoming aware of our vulnerabilities that we can rise up with strength gained from knowledge and understanding.

Undress slowly in front of a mirror and with every bit of clothing you shed, call it by the name of a negative element in your life. Say good-bye to that negative element as you drop (or throw!) the clothing to the floor until you are standing naked. Do it to music that will help keep you in the "now" - do not let yourself get distracted as you focus on what the elements are that you are shedding. Can you see your next steps, where you need to go, what you need to do? Give yourself a hug, and get ready for the journey back to strength and renewal - Inanna is with you to help you stay focused and unwavering on your goal.

(Tip, do not get dressed again in the clothes you just shed - put them in the washing machine on "super wash"! And, try not to wear them again in the same combination).

In early Ireland, it was a bad idea to harvest your grain any time before Lammas -- it meant that the previous year's harvest had run out early, and that was a serious failing in agricultural communities. However, on August 1, the first sheafs of grain were cut by the farmer, and by nightfall his wife had made the first loaves of bread of the season.

The word Lammas derives from the Old English phrase"-"which translates to loaf mass. In early Christian times, the first loaves of the season were blessed by the Church.

Bread is the ultimate symbol of the Lammas season. After all, once the grain is harvested, it is milled and baked into bread, which is then consumed. It is the cycle of the harvest come full circle. The spirit of the grain god lives on through us in the eating of the bread. In many traditions, a loaf of special bread is baked in the shape of a man, to symbolize the god of the harvest.

You can easily make a loaf of Lammas bread by using a pre-made loaf of bread dough, found in the frozen food section in your grocery store. Certainly, you can make your own dough, but if you're not much of a baker, this is an easy alternative.